Packaging is one of the main communication and marketing mediums with the consumer, thus it is necessary to consider the legislation related to labelling and nutritional information. Furthermore, packaging is the medium to incorporate the healthy claims for those foods which have proven benefits.
The main purpose of the packaging is to preserve the food against external factors (barrier packagings are an example), extend its shelf life (active packaging) and inform the consumer about the quality in real time (intelligent packaging). The incorporation of nanocompounds to enhance packaging features depends on legal implications.
High consumption of packaged products makes it necessary to search for more sustainable solutions, biodegradable packaging and materials of biological origin, including biopolymers that asssume a lower environmental impact.